Dr. Casey J. Hayes

Dr. Casey J. Hayes

Dr. Casey J. Hayesis an Assistant Professor of Music at Franklin College, in Franklin, IN, where he conducts the FC Singers, Women’s Chorus and Men’s Chorus. In addition to his works at Franklin College, Dr. Hayes is the Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus; an ensemble of Gay men and their straight supporters singing for musical excellence and equality for the GLBT Community. Prior to his FC appointment in 2009, he served as the Chair of the Creative Arts Department as well as the Choral and Band Director of The Hewitt School in New York City, a private school for girls on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Casey began playing the piano at age 7 under legendary teachers Armilla Zix Wilson and Edgar Roberts of The Juilliard School. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting from Butler University, where he studied with acclaimed choral conductor Henry Leck and composer/arranger James Quitman Mulholland.

Casey received his Ph.D. in Music Education from the Steinhardt School of Education, New York University, in 2009. His doctoral research focused on Educational Outreach within Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Choruses. His studies of the GLBT Choral Movement led him to be the Music Director of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, as well as Musical Director of The New York City Ambassador Chorus, which is the outreach arm of the NYCGMC. In 2007, Casey founded the Gay Men’s Chorus of Manhattan, an ensemble focused upon raising funds for Not-for Profit organizations in need; the first community chorus of its kind in the country. Currently, Dr. Hayes is the Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus; continuing his work in the fight for GLBT equality.

Casey is in worldwide demand as a clinician and speaker on issues facing GLBT community choruses. He has made many recent presentations throughout the United States, Canada, and the UK, and he presents papers at many professional conferences, including (for example) the 27th World Conference of the International Society for Music Education in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His international work within the world of community choruses led him to be a founding member of the North American Coalition for Community Music.

In addition to championing the causes of the GLBT choral movement, Casey also served as Musical Director for Tony Award-winning Broadway actress Joanna Gleason. In his spare time, Dr. Hayes adjudicates high school marching bands and show choirs around the Midwest.

Professional affiliations include the Board of the New York State Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the International Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA Choruses) and the Board of Advisors for the Chicago Arts Orchestra. He has professional affiliations with the ACDA, the Music Educators National Conference, Chorus America, Phi Delta Theta National Fraternity, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Mu, Alpha Sinfonia, and the New York State School Music Association.